KABUL - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned the suicide bombing in the eastern city of Jalalabad as an attack on Afghanistan’s multicultural fabric.
In Sunday’s explosion, 19 people were killed as a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of Sikhs on its way to a meeting with President Ashraf Ghani.
Most of those victims were Hindus and Sikhs, including the only Sikh candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections, penciled in for October 20.
Modi tweeted India stood ready to assist Afghanistan in this hour of grief. “We strongly condemn the terror attacks in Afghanistan yesterday. They are an attack on Afghanistan's multicultural fabric.
“My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. India stands ready to assist the Afghanistan government in this sad hour,” he said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also expressed her heartfelt condolences to families of the victims. She will be meeting the victims’ relatives later in the day.
“My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the terror attack in Jalalabad city of Afghanistan. We are with them in this hour of tragedy. I am meeting their relatives today at 6pm.”
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also condemned the attack and extended help to the victims and their families. He urged the global fraternity to come together to fight against terror.
The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack which was also denounced by the Indian Embassy in Kabul. (Pajhwok)